Curtain shoe



`llame 25, 1929. H. u. NORTON CURTAIN SHOE Filnd June 5, 1925 LCn/Er :F

Patented June 25, 1929.

'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY U. MORTN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO MORTON MFG.l CO., OF CHI- CAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

CURTAIN SHOE.

Application led .Tune 5,

This invention relates to a curtain shoe, especially adapted for window curtains used in railway cars.

In the past, curtain shoes provided with rollers and an intermediate bearing have been used. These have been very unsatisfactory both because of the expense connected with their manufacture and because of the tendency they have to jam and bind.

It is therefore an object of this invention to cheapen the manufacture of curtain shoes and to provide a. more satisfactory type of shoe that will not bind or jam and that provides a limited pivotal movement with respect to the curtain.

Vith these and other objects in view, which will become more apparent in the fol` lowing description and disclosures, this in` vention comprises the novel structure and combinations hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out and defined in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of this invention and in which similar reference nu mcrals refer to similar features in the dif ferent views:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a curtain, with which curtain shoes embodying the principles of my invention are associated.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of one of the curtain shoes shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line III-III of Figure 2, showing a partof the window sash in section.

Figiue 4 is an end view of the shoe in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the shoe in Figure 2.

As shown on the drawings:

In referring to the drawings there is illustrated a curtain 1 mounted upon a curtainroller 2. The curtain is provided at its lower end with a device for guiding and positioning` it, comprising a pair of shoes 3 extending outwardly at each side of the curtain and a support, or rod 4 for each shoe. These rods pass through a hem in the curtain. A finger clamp 5 upon the end of each rod affords means for withdrawing the shoe and for actuating the curtain. The details -to form a. pair 1925. Serial No. 35,070.

of the construction of the clamp and support do not form a part of this invention, so need not be further discussed here.

Each shoe comprises a head 7 and a stem 6 in the form of The head 7 has rounded terminals 9 to provide an easy sliding movement. The outer faces of the ends 9 extend toward each other of bearin surfaces 10, betvlveen which is an intermediate recessed face As best shown in Figure 3 the stem 6 is adapted to fit into the mortised end 12 of a rod 4. A pivot pin 13 extends through the mortised end 12 and the stem 6 securing the same together so as to leave a clearance space 14 at the end of said stem. rlhe shoulders 15V at the base of the tenon do not abut the forked ends 16 of the rod 4 but are spaced therefrom to allow clearance 17. As a result the curtain rods 4 have a limited pivotal movement with respect to the shoes 3. This pivotal movement allows the rod 4 to be moved vertically even when not in true horizontal position, without changing the vertical position of the shoes. The shoes are 'adapted to slide in grooves 18 formed in window sashes 19, the ends 9 of the shoes fitting in said grooves and the bearings l0 sliding upon the base 20 of the grooves.

In the operation of the curtain, the finger clamps 5 are grasped and forced slightly together, thus relieving the pressure of the shoes 3 against the sash. The curtain may then be raised or lowered. The two bearings 10 on each shoe make the shoes less liable to jam and bind than where only one bearing was provided. The pivotal pla allowed the curtain further reduces this liability.

It is thus seen that a satisfactory curtain shoe has been provided, the manufacture of which has been considerably cheapened by achieving simplicity of sti'ucture.

I am aware that many changes may be made, and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

f A curtain shoe consisting of a head and a stem integral therewith at right angles to one a tenon having shoulders 15.

another in the saine plane, transversely outstanding enlargements forming integral hearing portions on each of the opposite ends of the head adapted to prevent contact be- 5 'tween the remaining portions of the side surfaces of the head and a `guide in use, the

stem projecting centrally from thehead and having a laterally reduced tongue at its end, and an operating rod in which the said tongue is pivoted to permit limited rocking 10 movement of the shoe relative to the rod.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

HARRY U. MORTON. 

